MERITUS are recruiting for a Project Accountant to join our client within the defence sector on a 12-month contract from their site in Oxford. This role offers hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days onsite per week and will require DBS clearance, with current SC clearance being highly advantageous.

PROJECT ACCOUNTANT - INSIDE IR35 - £44.28 PER HOUR - OXFORD - 12 MONTHS - HYBRID WORKING - DBS/SC CLEARANCE - DEFENCE PROJECTS - VIRTUAL INTERVIEW PROCESS - SECTOR: DEFENCE

This position operates Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00, working 37.5 hours per week. Candidates will be required onsite for key business activities including month-end processes, with flexibility around office attendance expected.

As a Project Accountant, you will be responsible for providing financial reporting and control across a portfolio of defence programmes whilst supporting future bid activities and commercial decision-making. Working closely with finance, commercial and programme teams, you will help ensure financial integrity, support forecasting activities and provide valuable financial insight to stakeholders across the business.

You will be involved in budget forecasting, financial reporting, contract reviews, risk management and month-end activities, whilst acting as a key finance contact for programme-related queries. This position requires a proactive individual capable of building strong stakeholder relationships and confidently challenging costs, forecasts and programme assumptions where necessary.

Skillset/experience required:

What can you bring to the role?

• Previous experience within Project Accounting, Financial Controlling or Project Reporting environments
• Professional accountancy qualification or part qualification such as CIMA, ACCA or equivalent
• Strong understanding of core accounting principles and financial reporting
• Experience supporting budgets, forecasts and operating plans
• Ability to prepare and maintain Estimate at Completion (EAC) forecasts and contract reviews
• Experience supporting month-end accounting and financial close processes
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills
• Ability to challenge programme costs, forecasts and financial assumptions
• Knowledge of risk management principles and financial governance
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong financial analysis capability
• Experience using SAP would be highly advantageous
• Knowledge of SSRO reporting, Single Source Contract Regulations or MoD financial environments would be desirable
• Strong communication, reporting and presentation skills
• Self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently within a small finance team